Truth by fiat

the Copenhagen Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

Abstract

The purpose is, first, to review the occurrences which led to the acceptance by the bulk of physicists of the instrumentalist approach to quantum mechanics (QM) as the only one worth considering as truly rendering nature at the atomic level. Formulated soon after the creation of QM it outright refused the local realist interpretation. Next, to bring out the successive waves of dissenting voices, which still go on unabated. Finally, to recall that – in spite of the pervading dominance of the Copenhagen reading of quantum phenomena – the manifold questions concerning the interpretation of QM continue to be the subject-matter of forceful interventions claiming that the foundational basis of QM is far from being definitely closed.